U11s Reds Match report vs. 3D Dynamos (3rd February 2018)

Following a big win and a very assured performance last week, we were back at Hopwood Hall for a 11.30 kick off in the rain against 3D Dynamos.

Caiden and Cullen were unavailable but Himayat was making his debut for the team.We started with George in goal, Adam, Harvey and Charlie, Tyler was in midfield with Jack shuttling from midfield to attack, Cameron was on the right, Kian on the left and Keane up front.

We started slowly and 3D moved the ball around well.Our defence stayed strong, putting in some great tackles and playing intelligent balls forward.Harvey particularly caught the eye with some great tracking and challenges, the pick of which was a fanastic block later in the half which was travelling and on target.

But despite the good start from the opposition it was us who struck the opening goal.Having soaked up quite a bit of pressure we broke with Harvey finding Kian who played a searching ball to Keane, whose shot was too powerful for the goalie.

It was quickly two when Cameron did well to shake off his marker and Keane chased the through ball.Keane shook off his marker and finished confidently low into the bottom corner.

The game became a little end-to-end and George had to make a couple of great saves.Adam played some superb balls through, Charlie cleared intelligently and Joe, when he came on, was solid and kept attackers at bay.In front of them Tyler and Daniel kept us well in control from the middle of the park.

Daniel got the vital touch to put us firmly in control, smashing the ball in from the edge of the area as 3D tried to clear.

Interplay was great, as it has been in recent matches, with Jack, Cameron and Keane all playing searching balls to runners to unlock the defence.

Himayat made a creditable debut, adapting to more than one position.It was almost the dream start for him when he wound up for a shot.Pressure from his marker meant he didn’t quite the contact he wanted but Jack was alert as the ball broke and he powered the ball home first time.

It almost got better when we won a free kick and with the keeper beaten, Kian’s shot hit the post and went behind.

At half time we were well in control.

In the second half Joe was in goal and George, now outfield, tackled teaciously and showed some great touches and movement to give us yet another dimension.

Although 3D attacked, we were good enough in defence and midfield to limit chances and reduce the opposition to little more than a series of corners.They did have the ball in the net late in the half but it was ruled out for offside, the ball being slotted home after Joe as bravely dived at feet to parry a shot.

As they commited players forward to get back into the game we enjoyed more space.Kian and Cameron had the beating of their markers and while crosses were cut out you felt it wouldn’t be long before we carved out clear chances.

Their goalie had a busy few minutes.Harvey broke forward and played a superb ball into the area which Jack hooked over the keeper into the net.The goal was ruled out for offside.With no linesman these decisions are difficult for the referee and they will get some wrong but Jack had timed his run well so that was a frustrating moment.The same two players combined again when an even better cross from Harvey was met powerfully by Jack’s head but the keeper managed to push it round the post.Keane broke and saw a powerful shot parried and although Jack got to the rebound it was going wide and we couldn’t work it back in.

As the game opened up, Daniel’s influence grew and he picked out some superb passes.One with the outside of his boot sent Kian racing through – his shot was saved by the keeper and Cameron was on hand on the line.Similar to Keane and Jack a few weeks ago, it wasn’t really clear whether the ball was over the line before Cameron touched it.Let’s just say they both got a goal.

And that is how it finished, 5-0 – from goalies to attackers there is unity, teamwork, communication and hard work.The fact that we have won convincingly and kept clean sheets now in consecutive matches shows a great balance in the team and Karl and Lee can be really proud of that.

Everyone played well today but Harvey’s performance stuck out a mile from the kick off and just got better.Quick and strong when defending and great delivery when going forward.A well deserved man of the match.